Roland Dixon caught our attention with his new single, “Is It Worth A Try,” featuring Sarrenna, an emerging east Tennessee singer-songwriter. Right off the bat, we are struck with elite vocal harmonies from these artists, reminiscent of musical works from groups like Darlingside or the Fleet Foxes. The raw emotion in this vocal style is nothing short of mesmerizing.
This one is a folk tune through and through. Tambourine-based percussion, upright bass, acoustic guitar, all work together to create an inventive soundscape that retains that classic folk vibe. We look forward to hearing more from this artist.
Hear it now on our Emerging Folk playlist.
You need to hear “Sam Stone,” the new single from Dean Batten, one of our favorite folk artists. If you are looking for a wholesome, yet infectiously authentic storyteller, Dean is your man. This song was originally written by John Prine, featured in his famous 1971 debut album release, telling the story of a drug-addicted war veteran who falls victim to his vices.
John Prine is known as one of the best songwriters of all time. Covering one of his tunes is no easy task, yet Dean nails this one on the head. A simple, classic arrangement and the timbre of a melancholy-stricken acoustic guitar make this one stand out. Fans of artists like Neil Young and Guy Clark will instantly connect with this sound.
Hear it now on our Emerging Folk playlist.
Coydog, an indie artist living in Nashville, also caught our eye with her latest single, “Cowgirls.” This song has a strong western vibe, complete with a pedal steel, twangy electric guitars, and a full drum kit. We hear a mix of classic folk artists like Joni Mitchell and more modern influences like Fiona Apple in Coydog’s musical style.
The vocal harmonies are on point, the instrumentation is inventive, and the emotion is impactful. Coydog’s intoxicating vocal style and the empowering lyrical themes have us wanting more. We have nothing but great things to say about this up and coming artist.
Hear it now on our Emerging Folk playlist.
Villa Coola immediately has our attention with the title track from their most recent EP, “big check.” This one features a more modern, pop oriented take on the folk genre. It maintains that classic folk vibe while utilizing modern instrumentation like digitized percussion parts.
Fans of Del Water Gap and Alex G will instantly connect with Villa Coola’s musical style. We think this mixture of eclectic styles will appeal to fans of classic folk and modern pop music alike. We really dig what Villa Coola has been up to recently, don’t miss out.
Hear it now on our Emerging Folk playlist.
The Wild Is Calling 